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Definition of orvietan in US English:

orvietan

(also orviétan)

noun

historical

A medicinal preparation held to be a universal antidote against poisons; an alexipharmic electuary. Hence, more generally and figurative: an antidote.

Origin

Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Weekly Intelligencer. From French orviétan or its probable etymon Italian orvietano from Orvieto, the name of a city in central Italy + -ano, the inventor, Girolamo Ferrante, being a native of this city.